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Matsui off to slow start in Triple-A

ST. PETERSBURG -- On April 30, Tampa Bay signed Hideki Matsui to a Minor League contract. After a stint in extended spring training, the outfielder has made his way to Triple-A Durham, where he's played in six games.

After 21 at-bats, Matsui is hitting just .143 with three RBIs as of Monday.

Rays manager Joe Maddon said there is no timetable for Matsui to possibly join the Major League club but did say that the would consider brining him up when he's both ready and needed.

"I've heard he's doing fine," Maddon said. "I was talking to Andrew [Friedman] about it, we're checking up on it more closely. We're trying to get more opinion on it right now, but I haven't heard anything bad."

Matsui is a career .285 hitter in nine Major League seasons with the Yankees, Angels and A's. He has 173 career home runs and 753 RBIs. Last season with Oakland, he hit .251 with 12 home runs and 72 RBIs.

ST. PETERSBURG -- On April 30, Tampa Bay signed Hideki Matsui to a Minor League contract. After a stint in extended spring training, the outfielder has made his way to Triple-A Durham, where he's played in six games.

After 21 at-bats, Matsui is hitting just .143 with three RBIs as of Monday.

Rays manager Joe Maddon said there is no timetable for Matsui to possibly join the Major League club but did say that the would consider brining him up when he's both ready and needed.

"I've heard he's doing fine," Maddon said. "I was talking to Andrew [Friedman] about it, we're checking up on it more closely. We're trying to get more opinion on it right now, but I haven't heard anything bad."

Matsui is a career .285 hitter in nine Major League seasons with the Yankees, Angels and A's. He has 173 career home runs and 753 RBIs. Last season with Oakland, he hit .251 with 12 home runs and 72 RBIs.

This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.